Mentz: Tough times ahead for Pumas
Poor discipline and missed opportunities were the key factors in their 22-25 loss to the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington last Friday.
Playing the majority of their Currie Cup Round Four match with 14 men, the Pumas were undone by a more determined Cavaliers outfit.
Several missed kicks and handling errors compounded the problems for the Nelspruit-based side.
Mentz admitted the next three weeks won't be easy and they need to step up their game.
"We missed far too many opportunities again, especially in the first half, and it was never going to be easy to play with a man down," Mentz said of the loss in Wellington.
"The second half was a much better display and I thought the guys showed a lot of heart.
"Unfortunately, things are not going to get any easier – with the Bulls, Western Province and the Cheetahs up next.
"We have to find a way to step up our game if we want to get that first win [of the season]."
The Mpumalanga side hosts the much-improved Blue Bulls in Nelspruit this coming Saturday.
